Family Reunion at Heber Valley Camp

August 13-15th, 2012. HEBER VALLEY GIRLS CAMP

 The theme for our reunion was 'heroes' and Jen provided us with 'Super Hero' capes and masks. All of the kids participated (even the teen agers). They each decorated their capes and then we talked about the heroes in our lives ... Dennis told us all about some of his heroes at our FHE. Grandpa Moore was one and he told about him.

 The camp cook area with our covered awnings. Diane made us a camp flag which we will sign each time we attend a reunion!

 One day we went on a hike around the lake ... all 40 of us ... not a hard hike, but a fun one. We saw lots of beaver activity!

 The campfire area. (David and Jen were all loaded up, as they had to leave a day early to go on their family vacation to So. Calif). We couldn't have fires because of the dry conditions, so we puts charcoal in the pit and roasted our marshmallows over the coals!

 At the end of the camp each child was given an award for their participation in the reunion. Here is Owen getting his (complete with a certificate and a hanging award ... just like the Olympics!)

The amazing part of the reunion was how ALL of the kids got along and they helped each other out all along the way. Older ones helped the younger ones, and we LOVED it!! Here is McKay giving Owen a ride on his shoulders during our hike. (Notice the beaver stump he is sitting on!) Families are forever ... and we sure love ours! Thanks everyone for making it happen!

And here comes Luke Harrison Hanks!

  Luke Harrison Hanks was born May 24th, 2012

 He was a tiny one (for a Harrison baby, that is) only 7#'s ... with a hint of red in his hair!

 Amy with Luke (on his blessing day) and Alisa  with Olivia!

 Olivia and her cousin Luke!

What a cutie he is ... and what a good baby as well. We love Little Luke! Welcome to the family!

Meet Olivia Ruth Harrison!

 This picture was taken right after Ryan and Alisa (and Owen and Olivia) arrived from Minnesota ... she that smile? We saw it the whole week! What a doll!

 Kelly and Bailey and all of the girls (and the boys too ... especially Tanner and McKay) kept stealing Olivia whenever she was awake. She was definitely a hit at the reunion.

 Aunt Jodi even painted her toe nails!

 In her 'super hero' outfit ... Such a beauty!

Grandma got to feed her a bottle while the others were on the lake ... my time!

3 Weeks later ... we are going back!!

Our beautiful trailer was safe in our driveway for 3 weeks ... but it is time to get back to where it belongs (and loves ... it stays under an awning at the property!). Sat. morning July 14th we left about 8 a.m. David and Jen left about an hour later ... to bring theirs back as well. They both got washed and we changed our bed and did a couple of repair items while it was here.

This is the way our shed looked when we grabbed what we could and left. It was in need of a cleaning ... but now it really needs one!

So ... while Dennis was working on other projects at the property, getting ready for the trailer to return, I tackled the shed. I took everything out ... got 'like' things together, and bought clear totes that I labeled and then got things cleaned out and organized. Dennis and David built another row of shelves (much needed) and also the 'crib' on the right to stack the 15 chairs needed when everyone is there!
Much Improved!! 

And here is the end result ... we are back!! (Dennis and David really worked hard getting them back in there just right ... not as easy as it looks ... but it was good that they could work together!) Jen tackled the bunk house and got it all cleaned and ready for use ... while I was doing the shed. All in all ... we all worked hard, but it is a good feeling. Next time we come, the 4-wheelers will come too ... and then we can play!

EVACUATING ... the Wood Hollow Fire was across the Highway!

Sunday June 24th, 2012
We got a call from Ron Rosevear that the fire that had started near Fountain Green had been fanned by high winds and was now approaching Indianola and heading our way. We jumped in the truck and ran out there to see it for ourselves. When we got there Dennis and Ron both decided we had better get ready in case they wanted us to evacuate. Den and I loaded up stuff and came home to pump up tires and get the truck better ready for moving the trailer, if need be. I called David and told he and Jen they had better come as well. By the time we got back out to the property we were being told by the Fire Marshall to evacuate quickly. We had to go through 2 road blocks to get back as they had closed the road. They let us in to get our trailer because we were on the East side of hwy 89. The above picture is of us getting ready to leave. It is not an easy task to move a trailer that is set up permanently, but we did!

It took David and us about an hour to get ready to go. By the time we got down to the hwy at the fire station, this is the sight we saw. The fire had burned down to the road and they had the road closed going south. Ron and Judy had to bring their trailer out our way ... north and then down Spanish Fork Canyon.

We pulled out onto the hwy and Dennis and David helped Ron pump up his trailer tires as his trailer hadn't been moved for several years either. So sad ... so many people across the road had their property destroyed by this fast moving fire. At least 50 homes were burned. High winds and dry grass. (They said it was probably human caused ... very upsetting!!)

Varsity Scout Camp - Fayette, UT ~ June 2012

Dennis was called as a Varsity Scout Coach in March. Here are the boys and the leaders at Scout Camp getting ready to do some repelling.

Here is their camp ... with breakfast out and ready. They camped at the Bown Dairy Farm in Fayette, UT and had a great time. They actually had numerous adventures: roping, shooting, water crafts, repelling, and other farming activities.

One of the boys ...on his way down!! (Dennis said it was at least 300' high ... he had to use telephoto to get their pictures!)

Where are Seth and Spencer?

If we can't find them ... and it is quiet in the house, this is often where they are... taking turns sitting on Gpa and Gma's 4 wheelers in the garage!!  Silly boys! Look at Spencer's 'cheesy' grin!

Happy 43rd Anniversary ... Dennis and Ruth Ann!!

Our Anniversary was on a Wed. (June 6th) and Dennis had scouts that night, so we didn't get to celebrate. He surprised me with these flowers ... from Steiners.  I Love Them ... and I love especially that he surprised me!  He also took Thurs. and Fri. off of work and we celebrated then! Thursday we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel then headed north to do some shopping ... we ended up at Cabela's where we bought a new generator (Diane got one too) ... then a trip to Ikea and a quick stop to see Amy and the 'boys' ... then an early dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  What a fun day!

Friday we had our home 'mitigated' ... because the radon levels were so high in our basement ... it took all day so while the guy worked, Dennis and I cleaned cupboards and closets. We got a lot done. We went to the property on Sat. to water trees. I know I am going to like it when Dennis retires ... we work well together. (204 days until retirement!)

Meet our newest Grandson ... Luke!

Luke Harrison Hanks
Born May 24, 2012
7# 4oz ~ 20"

This was his first outing to our house ... June 3rd
He is so tiny!!!

Grandpa with all 3 boys!

Grandma and Grandpa holding Luke. (I spent the night with Amy the first night and Dave was home with the other boys. Hospitals are not places to get any rest!) Dennis and I were at home with them on Friday night and then Amy and Luke came home Saturday early afternoon. Welcome Luke ... you are in a great family with parents that love you ... and brothers that do too (especially Spencer!!)

May 13th ... Midway, UT (A gift from our kids!)

Our kids have wanted us to go to Johnson Mill ... it is a bed and breakfast ... so they gave us a gift certificate for Christmas. We decided to wait until Spring to enjoy it, and we are glad we did. Here we are on out balcony overlooking the lake and the mill. It was beautiful!

We went on a hike around the mill and down on the old mill road. Everyting looks so fresh in the spring.

This is the mill from the front.

And here is Dennis out in the back. (It is fun to go NOT on the weekend ... way less people)
During retirement ... this is what we will do ... 232 days to go! 

Easter Egg Hunt in Las Vegas ... April 14th, 2012

Since we had an Easter Egg Hunt with the other grandkids ... it seemed only right that we have one in Las Vegas as well. We came down for a long weekend ... We left Friday morning to avoid a bad storm that was coming (Cedar got 6" of snow), so that was nice. LV was cool for them, but nice to us!!
Above: McKay and Talmage ... hunting in the palms! (Grandpa hid them well!)

Tanner was looking for the ones that were left. We do miss those boys!! We got to watch Tanner play in a Basketball game while we were there. He is an amazing player!

Donna and her kids were in LV for the week and ended up staying an extra couple of nights to see us and then to avoid the SNOW that was on Mountain Pass from all the storms. It was fun to get to see them and spend some time with her. (Megan is now working at the bakery for Mike and Jodi)

Easter Sunday ... April 8th, 2012

Here's our cute Amy ... expecting boy #3 the end of May.
(I never looked that cute pregnant ... way to go Amy!!)


The boys out finding Easter eggs at Grandpa and Gramma's

Easter Dinner (Dennis is the photograher)

Dennis with Spencer (his buddy) watching TV